Bus Ridership Guidelines

PARENTS: The Livingston Parish Bus Transportation Department needs your assistance to ensure that all children have the opportunity for a safe bus ride to and from school. Livingston Parish has an enrollment of over 26,000 students, of which averages of 20,000 are transported daily via the 300 buses on routes. Over the years, we have maintained an outstanding safety record, and through cooperative efforts, will make every effort to continue doing so.

The following are some parental guidelines and transportation regulations to adhere to:

* All children should be out at the bus stop 10 minutes prior to assigned time
* Never board the school bus; if you have an issue with a driver, please follow protocol and seek assistance through the school or our department
* If your child misses the bus, do not chase the bus down in a vehicle and expect the bus to stop and transport your child
* If you live on a dead end road, you will have one opportunity for the driver to make a stop
* All routes are designed to be door-sided on major highways when possible, please don’t ask for exceptions, this is a safeguard in place
* In the afternoon, drivers will drop Pre k, kindergarten, and first grade students only when a responsible person is visible to accept them. If no one is present, the child will be returned to their home-based school
* The acceptable walking distances are 2/10’s of a mile for elementary students and 3/10’s for middle and high school students
* All major routing adjustments and decisions are completed during the summer. Any request for a routing adjustment after school begins would have to be justified as being a safety concern and not merely a matter of convenience
* Some schools allow students to ride an alternate bus on occasion; this will be allowed only through a written request from the parent, signed by an administrator and if the bus in question is not over-crowded* Children are not to be dropped at places of business

STUDENTS: The school bus ride is considered an extension of the school day and as such, is subject to all school policies and procedures. Riding the school bus is a privilege not a right, and as such may be revoked for safety and disciplinary infractions.

Please be aware of the following:

*Cooperate with the driver, as they are in full charge of the bus*Be on time, the bus will not wait
*Use you inside voice so as not to distract the driver
*Stay in your assigned seat and keep the aisle and rear emergency exit clear
*Sit facing forward, with belongings in your lap or under your seat, including approved musical instruments, and remain seated while the bus is in motion
*No food or drink is allowed with the exception of water
*All dress code regulations will be followed
*The use or possession of: tobacco products, drugs, alcohol, weapons (knives and guns), obscene material, or extreme profanity could lead to immediate discipline and the loss of ridership privileges
*Any damage (torn seats, etc.) or vandalism to the bus could lead to discipline and restitution
*At no time should any item be thrown on the bus or off the bus through an open window

Notice of Discrimination

The Livingston Parish School Board does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, disability or gender in its educational programs and activities (including employment and application for employment), and it is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of gender by Title IX (20 USC 168) and on the basis of disability by Section 504 (42 USC 794). The Title IX Coordinator is Stephen Parrill